Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) was unable to practice and received the thumbs-down for Week 14 against Cincinnati. Gilbert was the only player on Pittsburgh's final injury report ruled out for Sunday. Linebacker James Harrison (knee) also missed practice all week and is unlikely to play. He was ruled as doubtful.

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is turning into some sort of iron-man. He's played in all 16 games the last two seasons, and he plans to make it three in a row, per ESPN.com.

Brown turned up the intensity when it came to training this offseason and added five pounds of muscle to his frame, in an attempt to be more durable.

"Taking care of myself as far as training, getting proper rest, knowing what it takes to perform at a high level," Brown said. "Nutrition paid dividends for me last year, and just understanding even more now with the time last year is accommodating way better.”

Jones was hampered by injuries in his rookie season, limiting him to just seven games, totaling 18 tackles and two sacks. Harrison signed with Pittsburgh midway through 2014, totaling 45 tackles with 5 1/2 sacks in 11 games.

Jordan Sullen

News

The Bears have signed guard Conor Boffeli and receiver Rashad Ross to the practice squad, according to WSCR 670.

In order to make room on the practice squad, the team parted ways with cornerback Jordan Sullen . Ross had been with the Bears this season, but was waived a few days ago. The club decided to bring him back as a member of the practice squad.

Cam Thomas

News

The Steelers signed Cam Thomas to play defensive end in their 3-4 scheme, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Thomas primarily played nose tackle for the Chargers. He could still see snaps at the nose in Pittsburgh, the report said.

Tackle Marcus Gilbert and safety Mike Mitchell had tweaks made to their contracts that won't affect their income for the 2015 season. However, the money they were slated to make from their salaries and roster bonuses are being applied as signing bonuses to free up cap space for the upcoming league year.

The restructured signing bonuses will be prorated and affect their cap number for future seasons.

The restructured deals were likely done to help free up money to re-sign linebacker Jason Worilds, linebacker Arthur Moats and cornerback Brice McCain.

Shakim Phillips

No Updates

Markus Wheaton

News

Third-year receiver Markus Wheaton had his eyes set on playing opposite Steelers stud Antonio Brown this season. But the emergence of Martavis Bryant has Wheaton relegated to the slot position.

He's not complaining about that - he ran 119 routes from the slot a year ago, per Pro Football Focus. That has allowed Wheaton to brace for a permanent move.

"The plays I had last year were customized for me," he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "...I'm going to see a lot more. ... I wouldn't say that it is out of my comfort zone, but there are things I need to learn that are different from the outside. Being on the field last year, I learned a lot in terms of reading the defenses and seeing things. Moving me inside, I am still seeing a lot of the same things."

Wheaton enjoyed a semi-breakout season in 2014 with 53 catches for 644 yards and two touchdowns.

Bud Dupree

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Steelers rookie linebacker and first-round pick Bud Dupree needed all of three practices to sense a difference in his development as an NFL player.

"The first day was kind of fast for me and the rest of the rookies, but I feel like we are adjusting well and learning the plays on the go," he told the team website. "I think I am adjusting fast to the playbook. I know a lot of it right now, but I want to keep on learning."

Much has changed since rookie minicamp. The game definitely speeds up when the veterans arrive.

"All the vets already know where they are going, know their assignments already," Dupree said. "They have been through a lot of game experience so they know what to expect. Me and the rest of the rookies are just going on what we see right now."

Dupree is especially tuned in to what his fellow linebackers are doing. He is taking their advice in adjusting to a new defense.

"All the fundamental things you need to learn playing football and learning the plays more precise so you don't have to think about it while you're on the field. Just small things like that."

James Harrison

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Steelers linebacker James Harrison came out of retirement last year and played surprisingly well, and this year, he'll be part of a young linebacker corps eager to prove itself. Harrison will step into a reduced role, but he's still ready to make an impact, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Harrison had 5 1/2 sacks last season and at 37, he isn't getting younger, so the Steelers are planning to keep him limited to 15-20 plays per game. But don't expect Harrison to ease into retirement.

"Nobody wants to be in a backup role," Harrison said. "If that's your mentality, then you're not in the right sport. Everybody wants to start, but we all have roles to play. I think I can play more than 25 snaps a game when I'm 50."

Alden Darby

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The Chargers announced their final round of roster cuts on Saturday, paring their roster down to the required 53 for the regular season.

The Steelers announced the signing of offensive lineman Collin Rahrig on Wednesday. Rahrig can play center and guard. The team also placed offensive tackle Micah Hatchie on the team's waived/injured list.

Injury

Mike Thornton

No Updates

Ian Wild

No Updates

Tyler Murphy

No Updates

Matt Spaeth

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The Steelers kept tight end Matt Spaeth from becoming a free agent, by agreeing to terms on a new two-year deal.

“I think of Pittsburgh as home now,” he said in an announcement from the team. “This organization is the best in the world, and I am just happy to be back.”

Kevin Fogg

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The Dolphins have completed their series of cuts to pare down their roster to the league-mandated 53 heading into the regular season.

Jones played in three games before he suffered a wrist injury and was then placed on short-term IR. Allen (thumb) was listed as probable heading into Week 14 against Cincinnati.

Bruce Gradkowski

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Steelers backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has been dealing with a sore shoulder for most of the last two months and is not ready for training camp.

"A couple weeks ... I'm not sure," he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about a timetable for his return. "It's nothing serious. I am thankful that we have a long training camp and we have plenty of time."

Gradkowski will almost certainly be out when his team plays in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 9.

Terence Garvin

News

Linebacker Terence Garvin, who made his first start in Week 16, won't make his second on Sunday. He is the lone Steelers player ruled out for the game against the Browns. Fellow linebacker Jason Worilds (abdomen) is questionable while the other injured are probable.

The Steelers and rookie second-round pick defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt have agreed to a four-year deal, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. The 6-foot-5, 303-pound Tuitt will compete for playing time along the D-line in camp this summer.

The Steelers announced Saturday they have placed five players on the Physcially Unable to Perform (PUP) list to coincide with the start of training camp, including Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and tackle Mike Adams .

Pouncey is out of action with what has been described as a "very minor" sprained right foot, and will miss the first couple of days of camp. Adams, who underwent a back procedure on July 20, will miss about four weeks of action.

The other players on the PUP list are backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, cornerback Senquez Golson and linebacker Shawn Lemon.

Free agent outside linebacker Arthur Moats tweeted that he'll re-sign with the Steelers, reports Pro Football Talk. Moats, 26, recorded four sacks, two forced fumbles and 23 tackles while playing in every game last season.

The Steelers announced it's a three-year deal.

Ramon Foster

News

As expected, the Steelers have ruled out cornerback Ike Taylor (forearm) and linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) for their Sunday game in Jacksonville.

After playing his first nine seasons with the Panthers, running back DeAngelo Williams signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Steelers this offseason. Among his many thoughts on the signing, he called it an easy decision, according to the Sporting News.

“I didn’t know they wanted me. I had never been on a visit before,” Williams said. “I was with the same organization for nine years. When I got the call and they said, 'hey we want to bring you in for a visit' I took it as that. Had they said we wanted to bring you in for a signing I would have had a different mindset. I had no idea what was going to transpire when I got here.”

Williams added that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the team to the next level.

“It’s the opportunity to take maybe one or two reps or whatever it takes to make this team better,” Williams said. “That is what I will do. I want to make it to a Super Bowl and win it. I know this team has that potential and they can do it.

“Coming here was an easy decision. This is a Super Bowl contending team. Every veteran out there, veteran or rookie, they want to go to the Super Bowl and win it and get the best opportunity. I think the best opportunity is here in Pittsburgh.”

Williams has rushed for 6,846 yards on 1,432 carries with 46 rushing touchdowns in his career.

Taylor, Polamalu and Palmer were all listed as questionable to play Sunday but none of the three will be available for the regular-season finale. The three players listed as probable to play in Week 17 are all active, including tackle Kelvin Beachum (back), tight end Matt Spaeth (elbow) and linebacker Vince Williams (ankle).

Pittsburgh is a 3 1/2-point favorite at home against Cincinnati.

B.W. Webb

News

Steelers running back Dri Archer has been deemed inactive for Week 14 against the Bengals. Archer practiced all week and is considered a healthy scratch.

Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham made all three of his field-goal attempts in his team's 30-17 loss to the Ravens in Saturday's Wild Card matchup.

Suisham broke a scoreless tie with a 45-yard kick late in the first quarter and added field goals from 22 and 47 yards out to put his team within one point heading into halftime. He didn't get the opportunity to add any points in the second half, as the Steelers went for two on their only touchdown of the half.

Bell was facing a three-game suspension due to a substance abuse violation. Bell rushed for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

Shawn Lemon

News

The success of Dolphins star and former Canadian Football League standout Cameron Wake has been an inspiration to fellow linebacker Shawn Lemon.

The undrafted Wake played two years in the CFL before taking his talents to the NFL. Lemon hopes to follow the same path with the Steelers.

"He has opened a lot of doors for us," Lemon told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I watch a lot of film on Cameron Wake and I try to do some of the things that he does and some of the things I do and put it into one. What keeps you motivated every year in the CFL is knowing the NFL is looking for pass rushers."

Pittsburgh signed the former Calgary Stampeder in January to a three-year deal worth $1,582 million after he racked up 13 sacks and a team-record seven forced fumbles a year ago. The 27-year-old Lemon chose the Steelers after visiting 13 other NFL teams because he believed it would give him the best opportunity. The Steelers have since re-signed linebackers Arthur Moats and James Harrison, then drafted linebacker Bud Dupree in the first round. But Lemon remains optimistic.

"If you are a young guy, you are kind of looking at the numbers," he said. "I know that if you go out and produce, that you are going to be on the field. ... Playing over there for three years and being second in the league in sacks, I know what I bring to the table."

Reese Dismukes

No Updates

Antwon Blake

News

Steelers cornerback Antwon Blakehas agreed to sign his restricted free-agent tender, he announced via Twitter, reports ESPN. The deal is for one year and it's worth $1.542 million.

Blake, 24, has registered 65 total tackles, six passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble in three seasons.

Taylor, Polamalu and Palmer were all listed as questionable to play Sunday but none of the three will be available for the regular-season finale. The three players listed as probable to play in Week 17 are all active, including tackle Kelvin Beachum (back), tight end Matt Spaeth (elbow) and linebacker Vince Williams (ankle).

Polamalu has missed the previous two games and four of the last seven due to numerous injuries. His teammates scoffed at the idea that the Steelers are better off without the services of Polamalu, after he was a surprise inactive in Week 17. However, Will Allen could cut into Polamalu's playing time on Saturday, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

After walking down the hallway with no discernible limp, Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell stood by his locker Wednesday and told NFL Network, "I feel great." But when asked if that meant he'd play Saturday against Baltimore, Bell replied: "I'm just going to take it day by day."

The Steelers are operating under the assumption Bell won't be available due to his hyperextended knee, though coach Mike Tomlin said the team will "leave the light on" for him. Bell reportedly could barely walk Monday, so he's showing progress.

"We finally were just kind of like, 'Shut it down,' and figure out what we were going to do," he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Just taking everything cautious right now. I don't know exactly what's going to happen, but just playing it day by day."

Sean Spence

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Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler told linebacker Sean Spence that Spence will start Sunday against the Bucs in place of the injured Ryan Shazier, according to ESPN.

"The tunnel was dark for me for a long time, but I stayed positive and Steelers Nation stayed behind me," said Spence, who shredded his left knee in a 2012 preseason game and dislocated his knee cap while also sustaining nerve damage. "I finally get to get some good quality reps on defense."

Allen played in 16 games for the Steelers last season and totaled 36 tackles. He has six career interceptions during his 12-year career.

Clifton Geathers

News

The Steelers have announced they have re-signed defensive end Clifton Geathers, per Adam Caplan of ESPN on Wednesday. Geathers, 27, played three of his nine games last season with the Steelers. He totaled four tackles in 2014.

Ben Roethlisberger

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Terms of Ben Roethlisberger's new contract extension surfaced on Saturday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Big Ben's five-year deal is worth $99 million, and can escalate to $108 million. Roethlisberger was set to hit free agency after the 2015 season before both sides reached an agreement this offseason.

Roethlisberger was selected in the first round of the 2004 draft and has been the organization's quarterback since, leading the Steelers to three Super Bowl appearances and two titles.

In his 11-year career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 39,057 yards, 251 yards and 131 interceptions. He is coming off his best season. He threw for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also had a career-best 103.3 quarterback rating in 2014.

Steelers speedster Dri Archer got 17 offensive touches as a rookie last season, rushing 10 times for 40 yards and catching seven passes for 23 yards. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley called Archer "a unique talent" and said he wants to get him the ball more often in 2015, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"He is probably the fastest guy on the field wherever we go," Haley said. "At the same time he is in a little bit of a difficult spot because we have a guy in Le’Veon [Bell] who is capable and you really want on the field as much as possible. In a lot of places where you have running backs coming off the field, Le’Veon tends to get stronger as the games goes on. You hate to ever take him off the field. I am a big believer of putting your best 11 guys on the field as many snaps as you can.

"That put Dri in a little big of a difficult spot being a rookie coming from a little smaller school. When you get guys like that, sometimes the transition time is a little longer than we all would like, himself included. I really feel with a year under his belt, even though there wasn’t great production anywhere; a year, plus another offseason and training camp, a full room in an NFL weight room, I think Dri will come back more experienced and still has that outstanding characteristic of speed.

"The important thing is that we do have a role for him if he is going to have a helmet on Sundays and he gets his five and six touches a game. Any one of those plays he has the chance to take it to the house with that speed. Let’s just have a little patience and let him continue to develop and we will definitely have a plan to get him touches throughout the season.”

The Steelers announced they re-signed guard Chris Hubbard to a one-year contract. The second-year pro was on the active roster all season, appearing in one game, after spending 2013 on the practice squad.

Maurkice Pouncey

News

The Steelers announced Saturday they have placed five players on the Physcially Unable to Perform (PUP) list to coincide with the start of training camp, including Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and tackle Mike Adams .

Pouncey is out of action with what has been described as a "very minor" sprained right foot, and will miss the first couple of days of camp. Adams, who underwent a back procedure on July 20, will miss about four weeks of action.

The other players on the PUP list are backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, cornerback Senquez Golson and linebacker Shawn Lemon.

Shamarko Thomas

News

Third-year safety Shamarko Thomas has the unenviable task of replacing future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu in the Steelers defensive backfield, but Thomas is trying his best to fill some very big shoes, per The Associated Press.

Thomas worked with Polamalu last season and remains in touch with the safety in order to pick his brain for advice. Thomas' first two seasons have been limited due to injury and ineffectiveness, as he registered just five tackles in 11 games, mostly on special teams.

"I'm definitely sorry that Troy's gone, and I can't replace him,'' Thomas said. ''He's a Hall of Famer. I'm not worried about the job right now. I'm just out here trying to compete and trying to get involved with my team and just working hard."

Cameron Stingily

No Updates

Leterrius Walton

News

The Steelers have signed sixth-round defensive lineman Leterrius Walton, per Steelers Depot.

Walton played in 46 games at Central Michigan and racked up 106 tackles with six sacks and two forced fumbles.

Polamalu has missed the previous two games and four of the last seven due to numerous injuries. His teammates scoffed at the idea that the Steelers are better off without the services of Polamalu, after he was a surprise inactive in Week 17. However, Will Allen could cut into Polamalu's playing time on Saturday, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.